Delta Dynasties: Cities of Power in Ancient Egypt

Recordings will be available for those unable to attend the live event

Join us for the EES’ annual Summer Study Day as we journey into the heart of the Nile Delta to explore the rise, fall and legacy of four great capital cities that shaped over five centuries of ancient Egyptian history. Marvel at the monumental grandeur of Qantir-Piramesse, the New Kingdom (c. 1295–1069 BCE) stronghold of Ramesses II, discover Tanis as the key royal and religious centre of the early Third Intermediate Period (c. 1069–945 BCE), contemplate the cult centre to the cat goddess Bastet at Bubastis in Dynasty 22 (c. 945–715 BCE), and relive the cultural renaissance at Sais in the Late Period (c. 664 BCE–332 CE). This year’s theme—Delta Capitals—offers a sweeping view of political power, urban development, and cultural identity in Egypt’s northern frontier.

Through talks from leading Egyptologists, new archaeological insights, and lively discussion, this event will uncover how each of these cities reflected—and reshaped—the world around them.

Funds generated from ticket sales will directly contribute to the ongoing work of the Society. Thank you. 

Venue

Speakers

Online Presenters

Dr Henning Franzmeier

Senior Research Affiliate at the Cyprus Institute at Nikosia, and Field Director of the Qantir-Piramesse Project

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Dr Frédéric Payraudeau

Assistant Professor at Sorbonne Université, and Director of the French Mission in Tanis

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In-person Presenters

Dr Eva Lange-Athinodorou

Assistant Professor at the University of Würzburg, and Director of the Tell Basta Project

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Dr Penelope Wilson

Associate Professor in Egyptian Archaeology at Durham University, Field Director at Sais, and Director of the Special British Academy Project the Delta Survey

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Abstracts

Four Delta Capitals will be explored in chronological order during this event.

Qantir-Piramesse (Capital during 19^th and 20^th Dynasties or 13^th–11^th Century BCE)
Dr Henning Franzmeier

Tanis (Capital during 21^st Dynasty or 11^th–10^th Century BCE) 
Dr Frédéric Payraudeau

Bubastis (Capital during 22^nd Dynasty or 10^th–8^th Century BCE)
Dr Eva Lange-Athinodorou

Sais (Capital during 24^th, 26^th and 28^th Dynasties or 8^th–6^th Century BCE)
Dr Penelope Wilson

Please check back here for the full schedule and abstracts nearer the event. 

Booking and information

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event in person and online, including your personalised Zoom link for joining the event. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The study day will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions, using the chat and polls. The skills session will be complemented by Google Drive, where resources will be uploaded.

Event tickets are only refundable if notice is provided at least one week prior to the event start date.

The venue and Zoom webinars have a limited attendance capacity, so please only sign up if you’re confident that you can attend. If this event does become sold out, please click the book now button to join the waiting list. We will email you if a place becomes available for this event, so you may reconfirm your interest in attending this study day. We recommend that you join our online events using a PC or laptop. We recommend live online attendance to participate in the Q&A session with the speaker, but this study day will be recorded and made available for a limited time on YouTube after the event for both online and in-person attendees. 

Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES online events before the course begins.